Nitric Oxide Levels in Patients with Psoriasis Treated with Methotrexate

Psoriasis is a chronic, recurrent, inflammatory, and hyperproliferative disease. Recently there have been studies regarding increases in the levels of NO in inflammatory dermatoses including psoriasis. In this study, 22 patients with psoriasis were scored with PASI (psoriasis area and severity index) and the levels of serum nitrite-nitrate were evaluated before and after therapy with methotrexate (Mtx). The results were compared with age- and sex-matched healthy volunteers. The relation of the results with the clinical severity and the cumulative Mtx dose were also evaluated. The serum levels of nitrite-nitrate of the psoriatic patients with active lesions were found to be significantly higher than the levels of the healthy volunteers and the patients after therapy. The elevated nitrite-nitrate serum levels in the inflammatory period may suggest the possible role of this mediator in the etiopathogenesis of psoriasis and the potential future use of No inhibitors in the treatment of psoriasis

Plasma total anti-oxidant capacity correlates inversely with the extent of acute appendicitis: a case control study

BACKGROUND: The role of free oxygen radicals in inflammatory conditions is well known. Free radicals cause lipid peroxidation of cellular membranes resulting in cell death. The purpose of this study was to investigate the levels of total anti-oxidant status (TAS), as a marker of anti-oxidant defense system and malondialdehyde (MDA), as a marker of oxidative stress, in the plasma of patients with acute appendicitis. METHODS: Fifty-one adult patients with a median age of 31 years who underwent operations with a preoperative diagnosis of acute appendicitis were included in this prospective study. Blood samples for C-reactive protein (CRP), MDA and TAS were collected preoperatively. Groups were compared by using the Mann-Whitney U test. RESULTS: There were 27 patients with acute phlagmenous appendicitis and 19 patients with advanced appendicitis (10 gangrenous and 9 perforated appendicitis), while 5 negative explorations were documented. No significant differences in WBC counts and MDA levels between groups were encountered. Plasma CRP was significantly higher in patients with perforated appendicitis, but not in the other groups. In advanced appendicitis group, TAS level was significantly lower than the other groups. On the other hand, plasma TAS level in acute phlagmenous appendicitis group was significantly higher. CONCLUSION: A decrease in plasma total anti-oxidant capacity might be a predictor of the progression of inflammation to the perforation in acute appendicitis

Trichofolliculoma: a rare variant of hair follicle hamartoma

Trichofolliculoma is a rare hair follicle hamartoma, which is often regarded as a hair follicle tumor. Mostly, it presents as a papule or nodule, involving the skin of the face and scalp area. A central, dilated keratin plugged ostium with vellus hair(s) is often present. We report a 19-year-old woman with typical clinical and histopathological findings of trichofolliculoma

Trichofolliculoma: a rare variant of hair follicle hamartoma

Trichofolliculoma is a rare hair follicle hamartoma, which is often regarded as a hair follicle tumor. Mostly, it presents as a papule or nodule, involving the skin of the face and scalp area. A central, dilated keratin plugged ostium with vellus hair(s) is often present. We report a 19-year-old woman with typical clinical and histopathological findings of trichofolliculoma

Updated Turkish Guidelines For The Management Of Psoriasis With Biologic Agents

WoSScopusTr-Dizi

Prevalence of smoking, alcohol consumption and metabolic syndrome in patients with psoriasis

BACKGROUND: Coexistence of obesity, hypertension, insulin resistance and dyslipidemia is defined as metabolic syndrome (MBS), which is among the important risk indicators for cardiovascular diseases, diabetes and stroke. Smoking and alcohol consumption are the other factors which lead to an increase in the risk of cardiovascular disease. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the prevalence of metabolic syndrome, smoking and alcohol consumption in psoriasis patients and the relationship between disease severity and these factors. METHODS: This cross-sectional study enrolled 563 patients with chronic plaque-type psoriasis, all of which completed a questionnaire and underwent a complete physical examination. Data about MBS components, psoriasis severity/duration, smoking and alcohol consumption, and cardiovascular diseases were recorded. RESULTS: A total of 563 patients with ages ranging from 18 to 78 years were evaluated. Metabolic syndrome was found in 12.6\% of the patients {[}central obesity (38.7\%), hypertension (14.3\%), dyslipidemia (18.6\%), diabetes (9.2\%)], while 50.3\% had smoking, and 3.3\% had alcohol consumption. Patients with metabolic syndrome were older and more likely to have a longer disease duration than those without metabolic syndrome (p<0.05 for each). The prevalence of metabolic syndrome was higher in women than in men. Psoriasis was more severe in patients with central obesity, diabetes and smoking than in those without (p<0.05 for each). STUDY LIMITATIONS: Retrospective design. CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate that MBS is a risk factor for psoriasis patients with advanced age. The relationship between disease severity and obesity, diabetes, and smoking in psoriasis patients indicates that the patients should be informed about the potential metabolic risks and receive therapies for behavioral changes besides anti-psoriatic treatment in order to minimize these risks

Turkish Guidelines for the Management of Psoriasis with Biologic Agents

WOS: 00026316990001